vancouver canucks – Sports Updatehttp://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate
Blogging special sports events and storiesThu, 27 Oct 2016 18:43:48 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.151022412The Hockey Stop NHL mock draft: Who will the Wild select at No. 7 spot?http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/06/the-hockey-stop-nhl-mock-draft-who-will-the-wild-select-at-no-7-spot/
http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/06/the-hockey-stop-nhl-mock-draft-who-will-the-wild-select-at-no-7-spot/#commentsTue, 19 Jun 2012 22:54:40 +0000http://blog.chron.com/hockeystop/?p=929The buzz word leading up to the 2012 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh is “organizational needs.” This year, general managers seem more inclined to addressing their teams needs at position, rather just selecting the best player available. The Minnesota Wild pick at No. 7 and are rumored to be targeting a defenseman. The following predictions are as of 6/19/2012 and are barring any pre-draft trades.

The Oilers, who pick first again, will add another No.1 draft pick as they should select the highly-touted Russian first to join their growing lists of recent first-rounders in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. The future looks really bright in Edmonton.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets-C Alex Galchenyuk

With the Blue Jackets working on trading away their franchise player Rick Nash, Columbus needs to rebuild with offense. Galchenyuk is considered the type of pivot who makes players around him better. He can be the dominant offensive center they’ve always coveted.

3. Montreal Canadiens- D Ryan Murray

Drafting the steady defenseman Murray would be a safe and smart pick. If Montreal is going to rebuild they need players like Murray, who are an absolute rock on defense.

4. New York Islanders- C Mikhail Grigorenko

Many experts originally had him going No. 2, but he’s fallen out of the top 10 in some circles. The young Islanders would love to add Grigorenko’s size and skill upfront.

5.Toronto Maple Leafs- LW Filip Forsberg

While a stud defenseman would look appetizing to GM Brian Burke, Toronto needs to add some skill on the wing. The Maple Leafs, who are heavily pressured to make the playoffs next season, would benefit from the young Swede’s combination of what analysts call “skill and will.”

6. Anaheim Ducks- D Mathew Dumba

Dumba could go a lot earlier in the draft as his stock as skyrocketed recently. The defenseman is known for his highlight-reel hits, steady play in his own end, leadership and offensive instincts. Anaheim and Dumba are great fits for each other.

7. Minnesota Wild- D Morgan Rielly

The Wild have a nice group of forwards who will compete for a roster spot this year or end up on the Aeros, so it would be a good move to add the player who is considered the “best first passer” in the draft. Rielly’s hockey IQ is said to be one of his better assets as well.

8. Carolina Hurricanes- C Radek Faksa

Good size, good skill and a great fit for Carolina to play behind Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner in the future. Faksa could be the “sleeper pick” of this draft.

9.Winnipeg Jets- D Griffin Reinhart

Calm, confident and has all the right tools, Reinhart could be the No.1 defenseman of Winnipeg’s future.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning- D Cody Ceci

Tampa Bay needs D, and Ceci is a hard worker on the blue line and also a proven power-play performer.

11.Washington Capitals- D Jacob Trouba

Anyone else notice a trend here? This is the draft of the defenseman and prime d-men are at a premium Trouba, the U.S. developmental star, is intense and hard to play against.

12. Buffalo Sabres- LW Teuvo Teravainen

Another smart and composed player, the Sabres have a great knack for drafting quality forwards and this Finn could be another one.

13. Dallas Stars- D Olli Maatta

Dallas, who was once home to stalwarts like Derian Hatcher and Sergei Zubov, would love to add Maatta, who seems like he can mature into a complete player.

14. Calgary Flames – D Hampus Lindholm

Another do-it all dman, the Flames would love if Lindholm can turn into a Lidstrom.

15. Ottawa Senators- D Slater Koekkoek

The Sens have drafted some solid dmen through the years and this year they should start that trend again.

16.Washington Capitals- C Zemgus Girgensons

This hard-working center could be a nice work-in progress for the Caps.

17. San Jose Sharks- RW Thomas Wilson

The Sharks also have a knack for drafting forwards who can frustrate by scoring and agitating. Wilson could be another one of those players.

18. Chicago Blackhawks- D Derrick Pouliot

Pouliot’s excellent vision could land him a spot QB’in Chicago’s power play in the near future.

19. Tampa Bay Lightning- RW Tanner Pearson

To many, Pearson going in the top 20 and even in the first round would be a surprise, but GM Steve Yzerman isn’t afraid to take risks. Pearson has tremendous upside and could be the steal of the draft.

20. Philadelphia Flyers-D Matt Finn

Steady, not flashy, is Finn and the Flyers would benefit from some backline help.

21. Buffalo Sabres- LW Thomas Hertl

Draft consistency at the forward position will continue for the Sabres if they make this move.

22. Pittsburgh Penguins- LW Phillip Di Giuseppe

This will be another jump if Pittsburgh takes a chance on this determined Michigan Wolverine winger. The draft host Pittsburgh will like this pick if the forward continues to improve his game and one day end up on the wing of Sidney Crosby.

23. Florida Panthers- C Scott Laughton

Laughton would be a nice addition to an ever-improving Panthers squad. The center has good hockey sense and is fundamentally sound.

24.Boston Bruins- RW Henrik Samuelsson

Samuelsson is smart, hard to play against and a player you’d hate to versus but love to have. Sounds like another Milan Lucic.

25. St. Louis Blues- Sebastien Collberg

Collberg is a reliable offensive player and could eventually add some scoring punch to St. Louis.

26. Vancouver Canucks- G Oscar Dansk

A goalie? Yup, with Roberto Luongo on the trading block, time to restock the goalie pipeline.

27. Phoenix Coyotes- LW Nicolas Kerdiles

The winger is highly skilled and talented and could grow into a good offensive NHL player.

28. New York Rangers- LW Stefan Matteau

Matteau’s speed and “wrecking-ball like” style fit in perfect in New York’s system. He is also the son of Stephane Matteau who scored one of the biggest goals in Rangers history when his double OT goal in 1994 sent the Rangers to the finals.

29. New Jersey Devils- G Malcolm Subban

Another no-brainer pick here with Martin Broduer’s future uncertain. New Jersey needs a goalie of the future, and the younger brother of P.K. Subban may be it.

30. Los Angeles Kings- D Ludvig Bystrom

The defending Cup champions have drafted some exceptional dmen through the years.

]]>http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/06/the-hockey-stop-nhl-mock-draft-who-will-the-wild-select-at-no-7-spot/feed/412280Photos: See famous hockey fanshttp://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/04/photos-see-famous-hockey-fans/
http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/04/photos-see-famous-hockey-fans/#respondTue, 24 Apr 2012 19:39:15 +0000http://blog.chron.com/hockeystop/?p=797With the ratings for the first round of the Stanley Cup the highest in recent years, and more and more celebrities popping up at games, we put together a gallery of some of hockey’s most famous fans.

Roberto Luongo found himself on the bench in the first-round loss to the Kings.(AP)

With backup Cory Schneider emerging in the Vancouver Canucks’ playoff loss to the Los Angeles Kings as the Canucks goalie of the future, it looks like Roberto Luongo’s days in Vancouver are numbered.

Luongo’s tenure in Vancouver has been marred with playoff disappointments and continued flakiness. Luongo, who has excelled in the regular season to become one of the game’s best and also owns an Olympic Gold medal to his name, is too prideful to be a backup.

Cory Schneider (left) took over the reigns for Roberto Luongo (right). (AP)

But here is where this trading Luongo in the offseason thing gets tricky; he has a no-trade clause and a monster contract until 2022 at $5.3 million per. Luongo would have to waive his no-trade clause, which he likely will, and the Canucks will have to find a deal that offers salary-cap flexibility for both clubs.

Below are some scenarios that are likely, some that are possible, but not as likely and others that have the word “blockbuster” written all over them.

New Jersey Devils

With Martin Brodeur’s career winding down and no clear top-goalie prospect in the system, the Devils are going to have to look to life without Marty. The Devils will have the daunting task of having to re-sign star forward Zach Parise this summer and also have another insanely large contract to work around with Ilya Kovalchuk making $6.6 million roughly till around 2025.

So, the deal would have to be obvious here; have Kovalchuk waive his no-trade clause and he can go to a contender in the Canucks. The Canucks get one of the game’s best forwards and dynamic scorers, but also get a lengthy contract in exchange for Luongo and his big contract. Kovalchuk would be a player that may help the Canucks get over the hump and bring home a Stanley Cup. He also brings grit to the table that outside of Ryan Kesler, the Canucks top-six forwards are lacking.

Ilya Kovalchuk is one of the game's best goal scorers. (Mel Evans/AP)

For the Devils, they get a No.1 goalie that they don’t have in their farm system along with cap flexibility to try to re-sign Parise. Is this likely? Likely not, but it would make sense for both clubs and would be a blockbuster

Edmonton Oilers

This is one of the youngest team’s in the league with tremendous upside and young talent, plenty of cap space, plus the No.1 pick in this year’s draft. What they need to help push them from a young squad of future stars to a playoff team is goaltending. If this deal would happen, who would the Canucks get? They could ask for this year’s No. 1 pick or try to pluck a package of offensive players like Sam Gagner and Ales Hemsky.

Anaheim Ducks

Trading to a rival? This scenario is probably the least likely to happen, but the Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller hasn’t been the same since battling vertigo and the Ducks may just need a shake up. The Canucks would have to try to get the talented Bobby Ryan or try for the Ducks captain in Ryan Getzlaf. Both had off seasons last year, and could use a change of scenery. Also, Getzlaf has the size, skill and nastiness the Canucks need.

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets would love to get a Canadian gold medalist in their nets with Luongo. The team had a solid first year in Winnipeg, but a goalie upgrade would help push them to the next level. The Canucks could acquire restricted free-agent goalie Ondrej Pavelec and have him support Schneider, or go after another RFA in Evander Kane. Kane is an unlikely option since he is part of the team’s young core, but he’d be another type of player the Canucks would love to have on their team in a playoff series.

Dallas Stars

The Stars have some attractive options for the Canucks. Captain Brenden Morrow is a gritty, two-way player full of leadership and is just the player the underachieving Canucks need.

Brenden Morrow is the captain of the Stars. ( AP)

The Canucks could also swap goalie-for-goalie and ask for Kari Lehtonen ( signed till 2014 at $3.5 mil per) to give them depth if Schneider falters. While these deals would make sense for the teams, Luongo’s monster contract may not make this a reality, since Dallas may not be able to swing any large deals with ownership issues pending.

Columbus Blue Jackets

OK, is it too insane to think a Rick Nash for Luongo trade straight up? Oh, and no way Luongo would approve of a trade to Columbus. But imagine. …

Tampa Bay Lightning

They could sure use some goaltending, huh? There would have to be some salary-cap magic worked here to make any deal to send Luongo to the Lightning work with Tampa Bay having so much money tied up in their top four forwards.

Claude Giroux and Sidney Crosby do not like each other. (Bruce Bennet/Getty)

With the first round of the playoffs providing exciting hockey and tons of drama already, here are some quick thoughts: ( Check back for updates)

–In the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 8-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, captain Sidney Crosby was front in center of many of the scrums. Crosby, obviously frustrated with his team being down 3-0 in this fight-filled, high-scoring series, sucker punched the Flyers’ star center Claude Giroux. Crosby, who went after Kimmo Timonen, was confronted by Giroux as the two locked up and appeared ready to fight. The two tussled with neither being able to land any punches until the refs stepped in. With the refs in the middle, and Giroux hunched over trying to get at Crosby, Crosby landed an uppercut knowing full well Giroux was vulnerable with the refs in the way and knew the refs would protect him from retaliation since the fight was separated. And this is the “face of the NHL” that Gary Bettman and Co. shove down our throats?

– OK, so let me get this straight. New York Rangers rookie Carl Hagelin gets a three-game suspension for his elbow to Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson in Game 2 of that Eastern Conference series, yet the Nashville Predators’ Shea Weber gets just a $2,500 fine for slamming Detroit Red Wing Henrik Zetterberg’s head into the boards twice WWE-style? What a joke.

See for yourself which is worse:

or

– Mike Richards was in straight-beast mode for the Los Angeles Kings in the Game 1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Richards scored a goal and landed a huge hit at the end of the game with the Canucks pressing for the tying goal.

-Speaking of the Los Angeles, Kings captain Dustin Brown has been on a dominating with four goals in the first three games to put his team , the eighth seed, up 3-0 over the No. 1 seed Canucks. The gritty American forward has also set the tone physically. Watch his huge hit on Canucks star Henrik Sedin from Sunday’s 1-0 win, which Brown also tallied the lone goal.

]]>http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/04/quick-thoughts-on-the-stanley-cup-playoffs-so-far/feed/212261NHL playoff preview/predictions: First roundhttp://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/04/nhl-playoff-previewpredictions-first-round/
http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/04/nhl-playoff-previewpredictions-first-round/#respondMon, 09 Apr 2012 18:22:28 +0000http://blog.chron.com/hockeystop/?p=709Hockey’s second season kicks off Wednesday night with the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the hardest championship to win of all the major sports. With league parity continuing to be high, the last few weeks of the regular season made for some interesting drama. The Dallas Stars had a solid season but fell out of contention down the stretch. The Vancouver Canucks won the Presidents’ Trophy ( for overall best regular-season record) on the last day of the regular season, edging out the St. Louis Blues and the New York Rangers. But on Wednesday, the real fun begins. Here are our picks for the first round:

The Rangers became the No.1 team in the Eastern Conference this season by establishing a team identity based on gritty play and relentless effort. The Ottawa Senators have lots of skill up front with Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek, not to mention 19-goal scorer Erik Karlsson on the blue line. Defense and goaltending win championships, and New York has the edge here with world-class goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist will be up for the Vezina for the league’s best goalie after a collecting 39 wins, eight shutouts , a 1.97 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. Home-ice advantage goes to New York too, with the boisterous crowd at Madison Square Garden being an added advantage. Prediction: Rangers in five games.

No. 2 Boston Bruins vs. No. 7 Washington Capitals

Zdeno Chara (33) and Alex Ovechkin (8) are two of the league's top players.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins come in with a team that is arguably deeper than last year’s squad. The Bruins made some savvy moves at the trade deadline bringing in defensive defenseman Greg Zanon and veteran forward Brian Rolston. The Capitals, who struggled throughout the year, heated up toward the end of the season. The Capitals have a healthy Nicklas Backstrom back and are hoping his chemistry with Alex Ovechkin can help pull off the upset. This matchup is the most intriguing in the Eastern Conference, as the Bruins’ 6-8 captain Zdeno Chara will go head-to-head with Ovechkin and be counted upon to shut him down. Prediction: Bruins in six games.

No. 3 Florida Panthers vs. No. 6 New Jersey Devils

Florida returns to the postseason for the first time in a decade. (Bill Kostroun/AP)

The Panthers were the surprise story in the Eastern Conference. After last summer’s makeover, Florida’s mixed bag of signings worked out well in the long run. Brian Campbell, Ed Jovanovski and Jason Garrison highlight Florida’s defense, which gets the nod over New Jersey’s blue line. Goaltender Jose Theodore won 22 games, posted a 2.46 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage but will have to out perform New Jersey’s star Martin Broduer. Up front, New Jersey has two 30-goal scorers in captain Zach Parise (31) and Ilya Kovalchuk (37). Prediction: Devils in seven games.

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers

The last two regular-season meetings between the rivals were full of fights. (Gene Puskar/AP)

The rivals will fight it out in this battle of Pennsylvania. The Penguins, the deepest team in the conference and likely the league, will be facing two former Pens in the first round as Max Talbot and star Jaromir Jagr will be wearing orange and black this time. Evgeni Malkin, the lead candidate for the Hart Trophy for league MVP, combines with Sidney Crosby to make the NHL’s most dynamic duo. The Flyers’ Achilles’s heel in the playoffs has always been goaltending, so they are banking on Ilya Bryzgalov (who signed a nine-year, $51 million contract last summer) to help reverse that fortune. These two teams hate each other and this should make for one of the must-see series in the first round. Prediction: Penguins in seven.

Western Conference

No. 1 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 8 Los Angeles Kings

All eyes will be on Roberto Luongo (1) this summer in Vancouver. (Darryl Dyck/AP)

The Kings squeaked into the playoffs on the back of goaltender Jonathan Quick, who led the league in shutouts with 10. The Kings have struggled to score goals all season despite solid seasons by Anze Kopitar and captain Dustin Brown. The Kings will need Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to kick it into gear offensively if they’ll have any chance against the Canucks’ deep defense and star goalie Roberto Luongo. After the disappointment in being runners up to the Cup last season, the pressure is on for Luongo to bring a championship to Vancouver. This year’s Canucks added some much-needed grit and will need it to grind out the young Kings. Prediction: : Canucks in seven games.

No. 2 St. Louis Blues vs. No. 7 San Jose Sharks

Checking center Dominic Moore (18) will have his hands full with the Blues top lines. (Mario Sanchez/AP)

The Blues went from pretenders to contenders after bringing in coach Ken Hitchcock and the stellar season of goalie Brian Elliot. Elliot, a career backup, led the league in goals-against average with 1.56 and save percentage with a. 940. The Sharks had an up-and-down season, but do have the potential to pull off an upset. This one is tough to call. Prediction: Blues in six games.

Goalie Mike Smith was a big part of Phoenix’s surprise success and will have to keep it up to stop Chicago’s talented forwards. The Blackhawks still have their core four who helped them win a Cup two years ago with Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews. Both these team’s have the talent to play a run-and-gun style, but the Pacific Division champ Coyotes may not have enough firepower in the end to beat Chicago. Prediction: Blackhawks in six.

No. 4 Nashville Predators vs. No. 5 Detroit Red Wings

Defenseman Ryan Suter (20) is paired with Shea Weber to form one of the best d-men tandems in the NHL. (Frederick Breedon/Getty)

Even as the No. 5 seed, Detroit is the favorite on paper to win this series, but Nashville is a legit contender for the Cup. The Preds made some nice deadline deals bringing in gritty forward Paul Gaustad and skilled winger Sergei Kostitsyn. Alexander Radulov also returned to the team from the KHL just in time. Detroit is dangerous and can roll out four lines along with an imposing group of defenseman. Star goalie Pekka Rinne will have to be the difference in the series for Nashville to pull off an “upset.” Prediction: Nashville in six.

]]>http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/04/nhl-playoff-previewpredictions-first-round/feed/012259Hockey fans got talent: The best fan-made viral music videoshttp://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/02/hockey-fans-got-talent-the-best-fan-made-viral-music-videos/
http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/02/hockey-fans-got-talent-the-best-fan-made-viral-music-videos/#respondThu, 09 Feb 2012 19:29:27 +0000http://blog.chron.com/hockeystop/?p=468Hockey fans sure are creative and passionate and at times a little zany. There are a ton of these videos out there, but we selected a few that show hockey fans’ musical range.

The Caps Rap is pretty clever and channels old-school Beastie Boys. This was also a past playoff anthem for Capitals fans. The Alex Ovechkin portion is worth the watch.

“Penguins cry so much they are nature’s crybabies, I eat so many penguins I think i have ‘guin rabies.”

This New York Rangers fan made an adorable ode to defenseman Michael Del Zotto. This simplistic acoustic jam is really catchy.

“Your’re not Cally, you’re not Hank, you’re not Staal, but you’re my favorite player they don’t mean nothing at all.”

Pittsburgh Penguins fans made their own version of Wiz Khalifa’s hit Black And Yellow. The video is well done and a nice tribute to the team while paying homage to the original version.

A Montreal Canadiens fan sure was disappointed when the Canadiens traded away sniper Michael Cammalleri. He was so disappointed he made this funny, yet weird song about it. Fans of experimental Indian, emo hip-hop will dig this.

“Cammalleri, puck in corner, he reverse a gearer”

This next tribute to Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane is pretty fitting. Kane’s off-ice exploits are well documented. The Grand Theft Auto-style clip of Kane beating up a cab driver is priceless.

“When I step on the ice, I look pretty nice, cuz I hit like a wimp and shoot like a pimp.”

Move over Maroon 5, these Jaromir Jagr fans have the moves like Jagr.

” Now he’s back in the league, as a Broad Street Bully.”

The Vancouver Canucks didn’t win the Stanley Cup last year, but at least their fans have this nice Bruno Mars parody.

Chicago stars Patrick Kane (left) and Jonathan Toews will be on opposing teams in Hockey Stop's version of the NHL All-Star draft.( Mark Humphreys/AP)

With the NHL All-Star draft coming Thursday, Hockey Stop decided to do a little draft of its own. The NHL All-Star Game adopted a fantasy draft format to breathe new life into the game, which grown stale. Each team appoints a captain and the captain picks from the pool of players. Simple enough. This year, host Ottawa will have its captain, Daniel Alfredsson, captain one squad, while former Senator defenseman and current captain of the Boston Bruins Zdeno Chara will pick for the opposing team.

Here at hockey stop, myself, Mike Damante will captain ‘Team Mike’, while the other captain, will be Chronicle copy editor Greg Okuhara, guest starring on this blog. Once the game is played we will see how are players fared and determine a winner in the Hockey Stop shootout.

With the first pick, I selected New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Arguably, the best goalie in the NHL this season and possibly the world, Lundqvist has backstopped the young Rangers to the top of the NHL. With a save percentage of .936 and goals allowed average of 1.93 ( as of 1/21/2012), Lundqvist was an easy pick. I also factored in goalies can easily steal a period during an All-Star game.

Watch Lundqvist stop Daniel Briere’s penalty shot to secure the Rangers a win over the Flyers at the Winter Classic:

With the net solidified, I went with offense with my next three selections by nabbing Washington Capitals powerhouse Alex Ovechkin, Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews ( sorry Greg) and Toronto Maple Leafs sniper Phil Kessell. On defense, I built a big, deep and mobile defensive corps anchored by Nashville Predators Shea Weber.

As of Saturday, Alex Ovechkin has tallied 19 goals this season for the Capitals. (Ryan Remiorz/AP)

While both of our teams are deep all throughout the lineup, I think my team edges Greg’s in every position. And imagine a line of Ovechkin-Toews- Kessel or a d-pairing if Weber-Phaneuf? Scary.

Picking Steven Stamkos with my first pick was a no-brainer. Unlike you, Mr. Damante, I can choose a player based on skill/fantasy value instead of the color of his sweater. Then again, I did refuse to select either of the Sedin twins. But I digress.

I can’t say I’m surprised Tampa Bay is struggling this year. Dwayne Roloson caught fire during the playoffs last year, so there had to be some reasonable expectation defense/goaltending would be an issue this season. And it has. But that hasn’t affected Stamkos’ game. He could possibly eclipse 100 points on a team that is among the worst in the Eastern Conference. That’s a testament to his skill level and drive. Stamkos will showcase that during the All Star Game. Notching a few goals and dishing out a few helpers will be a bright spot in a season filled with two few for the young superstar. I expect a big game from him.

As for the rest of my team, you can’t go wrong with any of Ottawa’s four representatives. They’ll be amped up and eager to put on a show for the hometown fans. Milan Michalek continues his stellar season, and after a few down years, Jason Spezza is showing he can still be a top-six guy when he wants to.

Sure, the All Star Game is one big popularity contest, but you can’t tell me the guys who are participating for the first time aren’t excited to be there. Guys like Brian Elliot, Joffrey Lupul and Dennis Wideman will be eager to prove they belong.

And let’s face it, Mike: I’ve forgotten more about hockey than you’ll ever know. And I’ll prove that when my All Star team outpoints yours. Don’t think for a second that just because you picked up my favorite player in Toews you’ll be able to compete.

Spectacular saves are just part of the NHL's appeal. (Mark. J. Terrill/AP)

Some people just don’t get hockey, and that is fine. Maybe casual observers never witnessed a game live or never got into it for preconceived notions. Others are just set in their sports ways and won’t think outside the box of college sports, the NFL, MLB and the NBA. I’m not here to try to sway or change any opinions, but the video below may change your mind.

Brad Marchand drew criticism and suspension for this hit on Sami Salo:

The Bruins, who bested the Canucks for the Stanley Cup in 2011, had a response from Marchand.

“”Yeah, we play stupid, yeah, no,” Marchand said to reporters. “We play stupid, smart enough to win a Cup.”

Ouch.

The smack talk continued as Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton took to the air to respond to Vancouver columnist. Watch the entertaining exchange below.

]]>http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/01/bruins-shawn-thornton-schools-vancouver-columnist/feed/012221Cheap Hits: Should the Canucks trade Luongo?http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2011/10/cheap-hits-should-the-canucks-trade-luongo/
http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2011/10/cheap-hits-should-the-canucks-trade-luongo/#respondWed, 26 Oct 2011 20:29:59 +0000http://blog.chron.com/hockeystop/?p=131Welcome to the first edition of Cheap Hits, a look at hot topics in hockey and some of the week’s best.

Should the Canucks trade Roberto Luongo?

The Vancouver Canucks were the deepest team in the league last year, and arguably this season as well. They were poised to win the Cup, until they were met with a grittier, hungrier Boston Bruins team. Star goaltender Roberto Luongo was also outplayed by Conn Smythe winner Tim Thomas on the other side of the ice in goal. Luongo’s struggles have been heavily publicized, especially when facing the Chicago Blackhawks, but his subpar play in the Finals last summer had many Canucks fans wanting to riot ( which they did).

This season, Luongo is off to a rough start. So far in six contests, he has posted a record of 2-3-1 with a goals-against average of 3.45 and a save percentage of .868, not good numbers for your franchise goalie. Luongo’s massive contract has him signed until 2022, an absurd length that may make him hard to trade.

Do the Canucks make a move and trade him now while he still has value and young backup Cory Schneider has shown he could be a starter, or do they ride it out and see if he can bring Vancouver the Cup? The Canucks traded for top-sixth forward David Booth last week, showing they aren’t afraid to shake things up a little bit. But what about shaking things up a lot?

Could the pressure be too much for Luongo? He previously played for the Florida Panthers and made a name for himself as one of the NHL’s best by keeping his team in games when they were grossly out shot on a nightly basis. But playing in Florida is a lot different than playing in hockey-crazed Canada.

The Canucks would gain salary cap flexibility of they could move Luongo, but they’d have to find a team willing to take on his ridiculous contract and in desperate need for goaltending. The Tampa Bay Lightning have a strong core for a Cup run but lack goaltending and could use a star in net, but for cap relief a hefty contract, say captain Vincent Lecavalier ( signed to 2020) must go back the other way. Ottawa and division rival San Jose could use some goaltending, but either way if a deal was to be made, it would likely be a blockbuster.

What will the Oiler do with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins?

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers No.1 pick in the 2011 draft, has been lighting it up so far on a line with 2010 No. 1 pick Taylor Hall and another young gem in Jordan Eberle. The 18-year old Nugent-Hopkins, or “The Nuge” as Oilers’ fans have nicknamed him, has scored five goals and three assists so far this season. The Oilers top line is dynamic, but a tough decision looms; send him back to juniors or see if he can keep up his hot hand in the NHL.

The Oilers have till game No. 9 to make the decision. Nugent-Hopkins doesn’t look out of place with the big boys and if he continues to produce and play well while getting top-six minutes, “The Nuge” should stay.